Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Northern Ireland)

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority was established in 2003 and is responsible for regulating healthcare and social care services in Northern Ireland

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

Agency overview
Formed	27 February 2003
Jurisdiction	Northern Ireland
Headquarters	Cromac Ave, Belfast
Agency executive	Briege Donaghy, Chief Executive
Key document	The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003[1]
Website	https://www.rqia.org.uk/

Controversies

In 2020, the entire board resigned over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland, specifically reducing the frequency of inspections of care homes and stopping inspectors from talking to residents.^[2][3] It was reported that a broader breakdown in relationships, and inadequate communication had also contributed to the mass resignation.^[4]

On 2023, it was reported that a group of staff had signed a letter criticising a report for an inspection into a hospital for not 'going far enough'.^[5]

See also

• Care Quality Commission
• Care Inspectorate (Scotland)
• Care Inspectorate Wales
• Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Health Information and Quality Authority (Republic of Ireland)